Free Admission at Canada’s National Parks in 2017

The northern neighbor of the United States is celebrating its 150th birthday this year while the park service is ringing in its 100th year of operation. To celebrate these milestone events, Canada’s national park service is offering free admission to its 47 national parks.

To take advantage of this special, park visitors must visit the website to register the vehicle in which they will be visiting, and then show the pass (one per vehicle) when entering the parks.

Visitors and locals alike will be able to explore the massive country that borders three oceans — the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic — with abundant wildlife and scenery in between. Canada’s first national park opened in 1885: Alberta’s Banff National Park encompasses the Rocky Mountains.

Spy on a few glaciers at Auyittuq National Park, or frolic through miles of hiking paths in Cape Breton Highlands National Park. Travelers who have “see the Northern Lights” on their bucket lists will have many opportunities to camp under the stars and try to catch the phenomenon with a bit of advanced planning.

July 1 is Canada’s official birthday, but the country’s free admission to national parks will last the entire year. Visitor entry is free but guests still must pay camping fees if they wish to stay overnight, and they must pay for any guided tours they wish to take.